Volunteers with the Brighton Stockings and Santa Sacs for Seniors group are calling on residents to help ensure senior citizens who built Northumberland and beyond don’t feel alone this holiday season.
Every year, volunteers rally ahead of the holiday season and put out the call for help filling hundreds of actual sacks with donated goodies.
Volunteer Lynn Gladman tells us it’s all about simply spreading some joy during the festive season at area long-term care and retirement homes.
Residents may have noticed the group’s Christmas-wrapped donation boxes and posters up around the community – or flyers circulating online about the initiative, which detail drop-off locations and donation ideas.
Volunteers collect everything from large-printed word search books, calendars, stationary items, socks, sugar-free cookies, gloves, scarves, shampoos, bubble baths, and more to fill the sacks for Christmas. And these are just a few of the suggested donations (and volunteers note only new items are accepted.)
However, Gladman says there is a new ask this year.
Donated goods should go in regular bags and can be dropped off at donation boxes or several businesses where drop-off stations are set up, including at Just Like Granny’s, Body and Sole, No Frills, the Birdhouse Nature Store, Brighton Public Library, Cole’s Timber Mart and Eyes N’ Optics.
And with the public’s help, donations will go a long way this year.
However, the donation deadline is fast approaching. Volunteers are trying to collect all items on or before Dec. 6. If you’re interested in contributing or need some help shopping or are tight on time, don’t fret – Gladman says volunteers can help with that, too.
The group also accepts financial donations this way and will buy the in-demand items for seniors, explains Gladman, adding people are encouraged to reach out by calling or texting 613-970-1358 or through the group’s Facebook page.
And as always, it’s the thought that counts – the gesture sends a powerful message, says Gladman.
(Written by: Sarah Hyatt)